Chapter Text
Kev clenched his eyes shut, willing the moment to last forever. He felt utterly drained, a pleasant exhaustion that had settled deep in his bones, a deep-seated satisfaction that left him feeling relaxed in a way he hadn't known was possible. A slow, lazy smile crept onto his face. He thought of how Fang had tossed him onto the bed like a ragdoll, only to then slowly, almost reverently, undress in front of him, making sure to fold his sharp, black suit piece by painstaking piece and place it neatly on the armchair.
He pulled the heavy comforter up a bit higher and scooted back further into the solid, furry warmth of Fang, who was spooning him. Kev had expected the wolf to hold him down, to ravage him, to dominate him in the same way he dominated every room he was in. But the wolf had been so tender, and even... passive. He had asked what felt good, his voice a low, husky murmur, and had spent what felt like hours just kissing and nuzzling and... licking.
How did he even end up in this crazy world? Just over two weeks ago, he had woken up in that room downstairs, the room that had turned out to be the surgical recovery room. Kev couldn't help but smile through his sleepy thoughts again. Was Fang really going to make his new "assistant" live out of that tiny room in the far end of the totally-not-a-brothel-but-totally-a-brothel West Wing? If the wolf hadn't gotten stuck in the room with him that first night, would he have just been another one of the numerous eccentric employees here?
Kev breathed slowly and deeply, trying to ignore the rising sun that was beginning to peak through the heavy curtains, its light a soft, golden intrusion.
He hated thinking about how he got here. It still made him feel crazy. What else was he supposed to feel when living in a world that did not match his memories? One day, he was nearly catatonically depressed and drunk driving after being forced to watch yet another video of the combat drones he engineered mercilessly ripping apart screaming people in some far-off theater of war. The next thing he knew, he was face-to-face with an anthropomorphic wolf-man telling him that he was just hired to work at a five-star, electronics-free nightclub that also doubled as a fighting venue while also tripling as a sexual healing therapy hospital.
Kev's grin turned a bit wicked. Oh, what will Lanon and Rex have to say now? Those bastards were going to have to watch it around him instead of calling him a pet or trying to grab his ass. Maybe I smelled like I wanted Fang before, but now... He turned onto his back, the movement slow and languid, and slowly opened his eyes. Now we're officially a couple. We're partners, and no one can deny it, even if they want to.
He stared up at the familiar, plaster ceiling with his hazy morning eyes, a king in his conquered castle.
Maybe I am crazy, Kev thought. Smoking weed with a moose, playing darts with an eagle, giving a Mafia otter a tour of his new home while the otter's massive, nearly-gimp brown bear followed. Going to a WWE opera with his boyfriend's adoptive mother... who was also a beastman trafficker.
Kev's smile faded as he thought of the dangers of this world. An endangered species. He slowly breathed out through his nose, his eyes coming into sharp focus. He could have easily ended up the one in chains. He still really did stand out here. Even just spending time in the park sitting next to Sabrina, he'd been targeted. Who the hell attacks a girl in a wheelchair?
He tried not to grin as he thought of the eagle-woman's brash comments. It was hard to call her a girl. Talon was right. She was a hellion. But that hellion had saved his ass just two days ago, even if she didn't mean to. She'd scared away the enforcers with her aggressive, shameless cringe, all because that cheetah, Maffa, had some sort of feud with Fang.
He rolled over, the sheets whispering against his skin, to gaze upon the majestic wolfman next to him.
Fang was deep asleep. His breathing was slow and even, his powerful chest rising and falling rhythmically beneath the covers. The dark fur covering his shoulders and arms was thick and coarse, dusted with silver-grey along his jawline and temples, giving him a distinguished, weathered look. His physique was undeniable… broad shoulders, corded muscle, a body built for power and endurance. Even in sleep, he exuded a quiet, formidable strength.
Kev reached out, his fingers gently stroking the fur on Fang's shoulder. If you hate that spotted cat, I can hate him with you. It's just what a good partner would do, Kev thought dreamily. How dare he hurt you so badly. If I had known he was the reason you had locked yourself inside for years, then I... I... I would have burped in his face too.
Kev fought the urge to hug Fang, his heart beginning to ache with a sudden, profound realization. How stupid am I for not realizing you're in so much pain? I'm so sorry, Fang. I just assumed that wolf-men were aggressive. I thought that your species made your employees scared and they were just trying to frighten me with exaggerations about your moods. I had no idea that you were actively trying to work through your mental health issues.
Kev pushed himself up on one elbow and leaned over the wolf, studying his relaxed features. I'm going to suggest you get a therapist that isn't Lanon, he thought resolutely. That iguana is smart or whatever, but he's a total pimp and made you kiss me before you were ready to. A smile touched Kev's lips again. But I'm glad you're actually ready for kisses now.
He slowly lowered himself down, intent on planting a gentle, morning kiss on the side of Fang's muzzle.
Suddenly, an explosive, discordant crash shattered the morning quiet. Someone had begun pounding on the player piano in Kev's living room.
Kev's supporting arm, startled by the sudden noise, slipped out from under him.
Fang's amber eyes shot open, wide and instantly alert to the jarring sound.
With a startled yelp, Kev collapsed forward, his forehead colliding solidly with Fang's snout with a hollow thunk.
Kev rolled off to the side of the bed, holding his face in his hands. "Ow! Fuck... what..."
Fang held his nose and groaned. "Where am I? What the hell is that noise?"
The very loud and very dramatic piano music continued, a chaotic, pounding dissonance that echoed through the small apartment, completely unlike the cheerful ragtime scrolls Kev usually played. It sounded like an angry virtuoso punishing the keys.
"Someone's in my apartment," Kev managed to choke out as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. "Did I forget to lock the door last night?"
Fang pushed himself up and began to stalk towards the door, his fur bristling. "Who is the dead man who interrupted our sleep?"
"Fang!" Kev called out before the wolf reached the bedroom door. "Pants!"
Fang stopped and looked over at Kev, who was hastily pulling on his clothes from last night. Fang looked down at his bare legs. "Oh. Yes. Uh... I normally wear a sleeping garment."
Kev tossed the wolf his pants before wriggling into his half-unbuttoned shirt. "I like it more when you don't."
Fang blushed, but it slowly turned into a frown as the thundering music hit another climax of drama out in the living room. The wolf stepped into his pants. "If this is who I think it is..."
Kev managed a quick, slightly clumsy kiss on the side of Fang's muzzle as he passed him to exit the room. Fang nearly fell over.
"Well, it's not one of the music scrolls," Kev said, his hand on the doorknob, "so if I had to guess, it would probably be..."
Kev opened the door, his words trailing off because he was correct in his guess.
A colorful toucan sat with his back to the bedroom door, pounding away at the piano. The uninvited musician was wearing a nearly tie-dye robe that clashed violently with his vibrant feathers. His large, yellow-orange beak was sticking up into the air, his eyes closed in rapt concentration as he played. It was Asmodeus.
Kev rubbed his temples, looking around the apartment. His front door was wide open. Did the entertainment manager just let himself in and immediately sit at the piano and begin playing? Didn't he already play music all night with the full band?
Fang stalked past Kev, his fur beginning to bristle through his hastily buttoned shirt. It might have been the first time Kev saw Fang not looking put together, a stark contrast to his usual immaculate presentation.
"Asmodeus!" Fang yelled. "Stop! Stop it right now!"
The toucan slowly turned his head to look at Fang. His eyes lit up as he took in the sight of Fang and Kev, both disheveled, emerging from the bedroom together. The bird smiled, a warm, genuine smile, before turning back to the piano and playing even louder.
"Hey!" Fang shouted. "I know you heard me!"
Asmodeus looked up into the air again, his large beak opening wide.
"The wolf chases the moon at night,
It is so pale and fragile.
But it keeps away the dark and fright,
So the wolf must be so agile.
Or it will escape his sight,
And with his fears he'll battle.
For the moon is his source of light,
Without it he'd stumble when he travels."
Kev tilted his head. It was way too early for a power ballad, but Asmodeus's voice was really, really good. It didn't even sound like his normal, shrill speaking voice. Could the toucan mimic different singers? Kev felt a slight pang of jealousy over the virtuoso's effortless talent.
Fang clenched his fists and howled, "AWOOOOOO!"
Asmodeus didn't miss a beat. He augmented his playing, the chords shifting to perfectly harmonize with Fang's howl of rage, turning the angry outburst into a dramatic crescendo.
Kev reached out and grabbed Fang before the wolf could pounce on the toucan. Fang growled, his muscles bunching, but he allowed himself to be held back by his much weaker partner.
"Good morning, Asmodeus!" Kev shouted over the now-rocking piano solo. "What brings you to my room so early in the morning?"
The bird turned his head without stopping his playing. "It is my day off, Kev darling!" he called out, his voice returning to its usual melodic trill. "Please, you two can just ignore me! Please go back to enjoying your mythical love story!" The toucan turned back to the piano, his fingers flying. "There is no need for you to feel compelled to watch me and applaud my performance!"
"Day off," Fang muttered, putting his face in his hands. "I'll let him do whatever he wants as long as he is quiet. Does he know what time it-"
"Anything I want?" The toucan's head snapped back around, and his eyes locked onto Fang, the music abruptly stopping on a sustained, dramatic chord.
"So you can hear," Fang growled before shaking his head. "If you agree to stop pounding on that piano, you can do-"
"Two things," Asmodeus said. The toucan stood, his colorful robe draping around him majestically as he struck a pose. "One, you allow me to leave the grounds. And two," the toucan pointed a feathered finger high into the air, "you allow me to bring Mr. Kev along with me!"